Apparatus for packing containers into cases



June 14, 1960 E. H. MURVPHY 2,940,579

APPARATUS FOR PACKING CONTAINERS INTO CASES Filed June 17, 1958 4Sheets-Sheet 1 F IIE|' 1 INVENTOR EMMETT H. MURPHY ATTORNEY June 14,1960 Filed June 17, 1958 E. H. MURPHY APPARATUS FOR PACKING CONTAINERSINTO CASES 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR EMMETT H. MURPHY ATTORNEY June 14,1960 E. H. MURPHY 2,

APPARATUS FDR PACKING CONTAINERS INTO CASES Filed June 1'7, 1958 4Sheets-Sheet 3 F'IE'| :EI

INVENTOR EMMETT H. MURPHY ATTORNEY June 14, 1960 E. H. MURPHY 2,940,579

APPARATUS FOR PACKING CONTAINERS INTO CASES Filed June 17, 1958 4Sheets-Sheet 4 EMMETT H. MURPHY Q0 ATTO RN EY e 2,940,579 1C PatentedJune 14, 1960 APPARATUS FOR PACKING CONTAINERS INTO CASES Emmett H.Murphy, Westminster, Md., assignor to Food Machinery and ChemicalCorporation, San Jose, Calrfi, a corporation of Delaware Filed June 17,1958, Ser. No. 742,662

Claims. (Cl. 198-21) The present invention appertains to containerhandling machines, and more particularly to apparatus for packingcontainers into crates, cases or the like.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatusfor transferring tiers of containers from. a multi-file supply conveyorinto a shipping case, crates or the like.

Another object is to provide an improved control mechanism for a caseloading machine.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a case loadingmachine wherein the operation of the transfer mechanism control deviceis not impaired by moisture, collection of foreign objects, or sensitivecomponents.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following description and the accompanyingdrawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the case loading machine of the presentinvention shown in operative relation with the discharge end of a supplyconveyor.

Fig. 2 is a plan View of the case loading machine and the discharge endof the supply conveyor of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical section taken along line 33 of Fig. 2.

i Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical section taken along line 44 of Fig. 3illustrating the control device for the transfer mechanism.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 4 furtherillustrating the control device for the transfer mechanism.

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic illustration of the control device for thetransfer mechanism.

In Figs. 1 and 2 is illustrated the discharge end of a supply conveyor10 of the endless belt type that is adapted to convert a single-filesupply of containers into a multi-file supply of containers and advancethe files of containers in suitable lanes such as lanes 11', 12, 13 and14. The construction of the supply conveyor 10 and the associatedmechanisms is described in detail in the US. Patent to Charles E. Kerr,No. 2,650,009, for Apparatus for Packing Containers. The case loadingmachine 20 (Figs. 1 and 2) of the present invention transfers tiers ofcontainers from the discharge end of lanes 11, 12, 13 and 14 into ashipping case (not shown) supported by a case loading chute 30 (Figs. 1and 2) of the machine 20.

The case loading machine 20 (Figs. 1 and 2) comprises a pair of verticalside frames 40 and 41 secured in spaced apart relation to a base 42 witha spacer rod 43 interconnecting the upper ends thereof. Jonrnaled at thecenter of the side frames 40 and 41 at approximately the level of thecontainer supply lanes 11, 12, 13 and 14 is a horizontal shaft 44, andkeyed to the opposite ends of the shaft 44 adjacent the inner walls ofthe spaced side frames 40' and 4-1 are angularly aligned spiders 45 and46, respectively. Each spider includes three radial- 1y extending spokes47, 48 and 49 (Fig. 3) spaced at equal angular distances around shaft44. Extending transversely between the spiders and rotatably received 7within the bored free ends of the pairs of spokes 47, 48

and 49 are transverse rods 51, 52 and 53, respectively. Fixed to eachtransverse rod are a plurality of lifting or transfer levers 54 (Figs. 1and 3), there being one lifting lever 54 on each rod for each lane ofthe multi-file container supply conveyor 10. Each lifting lever 54includes a radially directed lifting finger 55 and a retaining thumb 56projecting at right angles thereto.

Fixed to each of the transverse rods 51, 52 and 53 at one end thereof is:abell crank lever 57 (Fig. l), and each of the bell crank levers 57 atthe free ends thereof carries cam follower rollers 58 and 59. Therollers 58 engage the edge of a stationary cam 65 (Fig. 1) which isfitted over the shaft 44 and is bolted to the inner wall of the sideframe 40. The rollers 59 engage a camway 66 (Fig; 1) that is also boltedto the inner wall of the side frame 40. Through this arrangement,rotation of the shaft 44 causes the transverse rods 51, 52 and 53 toswing in a circular orbit about the center axis of the case loadingmachine 20; The configurations of the cam 65 and the camway 66 determinethe angular position of the transverse rods relative to their owncentral axis and, hence, determine the angular position of the transferlevers 54 carried by the transverse rods.

The upper run of the multi-file supply conveyor 10 moves continuously inthe direction shown by arrow 67 (Fig. 2) and vertical partitions 68(Fig. 2), suitably mounted alongside conveyor belts 69 of the conveyor10, guide the advancement of four files of containers. The containers ineach file advance in an upright position and in a continuous processionto the transfer levers 54.

The machine 20 operates intermittently and Whenever it is at rest one oftlre'tra'nsverse shafts, such as shaft 51 (Fig. 5), is positioned infront of the discharge end of the supply conveyor 10 with the fingers 55of the transfer levers 54' held in a horizontal position. adjacent toand at approximately the level of the conveyor belts 69 of the supplyconveyor 10. Carried by the case loading machine 20 in line with thepartitions 68 are partitioning plates which are supported by spacerblocks 70 (Figs. 1 and 3) bolted to the base 42. Angle bars 76 (Figs. 2and 3) are secured to the confronting side surfaces of the partitioningplates 75 at such a level that their horizontal flanges formcontinuations of the upper runs of the conveyor belts 69. Thus, eachpair of angle bars forms a ramp 73 that is a continuation of one of theconveyor supply lanes (Fig. 2) and upon which the containers dischargedby the belts 69 may slide. In addition, the ramps 73' have centralopenings whereby the containers may be readily lifted by the fingers 55of the transfer levers 54 to the case loading chute 30 when the machine29 is set in motion. For keeping the containers together as they aretransferred from the ramps 73 t0 the loading chute 30, side walls 7:.and 72 (Figs. 1 and 3) are provided. In addition, the case machine maycomprise a stop device 74 (Fig. 3) to prevent, temporarily, newlyarriving containers from reaching the container receiving ramps 73 asthe lifting levers 54 rise above the ramps- 73. Toward this end, thestop device swings into position, when the transfer levers 54 begin torise, pushing backwards any containers that may crowd upon the receivingramp and, thus, the ends of the transfer fingers are cleared to risefreely. The stop device '74 is fully described in the aforementionedpatent to Kerr No. 2,650,009:

To prevent entanglement of the container rims with the edges of theflanges 76, as the containers are advanced from the belts 69 and passonto the flanges 76, transfer bridges 77 (Figs. 2 and 3) are interposedbe tween the discharge ends of the conveyor belts 69 and the feed endsof the flanges 76. The transfer bridges.

77 are formed of horizontal plates 78, which are supw surfaced16 (Fig. 1

ported by the partition plates 75 at approximately the same level as thebelts 69, and have rearwardly directed tails 79. Each of the tails 79jextends laterally of one of the cQnveyor belts .69 at the level of itsupper run, with the free end of the tail curved downwardly belowtheupper run of the associated belt as shownin Fig. 1. Thus, containersarriving upon the upper runs of the belts 69 glide smoothly over thedownwardly-curved ends of the tails 79,'which lift them to the level ofthe bridge 77 'so that they, may pass smoothly over the rear edges ofthe bridge whereby succeeding containers push them onto the ramps '73without any possibility of obstruction or entangle- 7 correspond tothefour lanes 11-14, inclusive, of the supply conveyor. 10. The channels ofthe chute 30 are effective to maintain containers delivered onto theloading chute 30 from the transfer levers 54, in proper longitudinalalignment.

For pushing forwardly on the chute 30 tiers of containers deposited ontothe loading chute 30 by the lifting levers 54, the case loading machine20 includes. a pair of. elongated actuating arms 100 and 101 (Figs. 1and 2) that are pivoted rat the lower ends thereof to the outer wallsofthe side frames 40 and 41, respectively, and with the.

upp r ends thereof projected above the side frames 40 and41. ,At theirupper ends, the arms 100 and 101 are slotted to freely receive, atransverse horizontal shaft 102 which supports apair of anchor-shapedrocker plates 103 and 104 (Figs. 2 and 3) at the upper portions thereof.The rockenplates 103 and 104 are connected at their lower centralportions to another. horizontal 'shaft105 that is journaled in a pair ofarches 106 and 107 which projectupwardlyfrom the top surface of ahorizontal plate 108 (Fig. 3). The'horizontal plate-.108 is arranged to,slide within a pair of horizontal grooves 109 (only one being shown inFig. 3) that are formed between inwardly directed ledges 111 (only onebeing shown) of the upper ends of the side frames 40 and 41 andcover'strips 112 and 113, respectively (Fig. 2). Mounted on the shaft105 in clamping engagement therewith is a pair of parallel loading shoes114 and 115 (Fig. 2). Each of the. loading shoes has a hat forwardlydirected pusher The angular position of the loading shoes 114 and 115and,,hence, the location of their pusher surfaces 116 eitheriin or abovethe loading chute are determined bythe rotary position of the shaft 105,which is controlled by the position of the rocker plates 103 and 104.Each rocker plate comprises arms 121 and 122 (Figs. 1 and 3) havingangularly disposed surfaces 123 and 124, respectively, joined by arounded surface, not shown. -When the actuator arms 100 and 101 aremoved forwardly, the shaft 102 is moved forwardly and the surfaces 124of. the rocker arms 122 engage the plate 108 (Fig. 3) therebypositioning the pusher faces 116 in position to engage containers in thechute 30, and whenthe actuating arms 100 and 101 are moved rearwardly,the

' surfaces 123 of the rocker arms 121 are moved into engagement with the.plate 108, thereby lifting the pusher faces 116 above the loading chuteto clear containers that may have been deposited thereon. To facilitatethe rearward rocking of the plates 103 and 1 04 against the weight ofthe loading "shoes 114 and 115, a counterweight 118 is carried by theshaft 105.

For moving the actuator arms 100 and 101 alternately in a forwarddirection and in a rearward direction, the ac- V tuatorfarms 100 and 101include rearwardly directed extensions 130 and 131, respectively, whichare pivotally connected to links 132 and 133, respectively (Figs. 1 and2). The links 132 and 133 irijturn are pivoted to a pair of crank discs134 and 135, respectively, that are mounted on an actuator shaft 136.The shaft 136 is journaled in the spacer blocks 70 (Fig. 1). With everyrevolution of the shaft 136, the discs 134 and 135 move the actuatorarms 100 and 101 in unison from the rearward position to the forwardposition and back to their initially occupied position. Theabove-described arrangement for pushing tiers of containers deposited onthe loading chute 30 into a packing case is more fully disclosed in theaforementioned patent to C. E. Kerr, No. 2,650,009, for Apparatus forPacking Containers.

A motor 140 drives continuously the supply conveyor r 10 through a chain:141. Operatively connected to the drive shaft of the motor 40 are belts142 of the case loading machine which are connected to the drive memberofa clutch 1 43 (Figs. 1 and 3). A drivenshaf-t 143a of the clutch 143'carries a sprocket 144 (Fig. *3); and trained around the sprocket 144.is a chain 145." The chain 145 is trained around a sprocket 146, whichis secured to the main shaft 44, and is also trained around a sprocket147, which'is secured to the shaft 136. Thus, the clutch 143 controlsthe operation of the container transfer levers 54 and the loading shoes114 and f115 andcau'ses the conveyor 10, the transfer levers 54, and thepusher shoes 114 and 115 to be actuated in timed re-' lation. H j f i pThe clutch 143 is a single revolution clutch and is normally held out ofengagement'by a clutch dog 148 (Fig. 3) so that the case loadingmachineis normallydog .148 is withdrawnfrom the clutch 143, the driven'shaft"143a makes a single revolution inthe clockwise direction (asviewed in Fig; 3) to simultaneously operate theshaft 44 and the shaft136. Theclutch dog 148 withdrawn to a clutch release position by aplunger 151 of a clutch control solenoid 152 (Figs. Sand 6) through' abell'crank 153. The energization of the clutch control solenoid 152 is'for a short time duration, and, hence;

. the clutch dog 148 is urged toward the clutch-disabling position by arestore spring 154 prior to the completion of eachrevolution of theclutch 143.

According to the present invention, the clutch control. solenoid 152 isenergized when a predetermined number of containers are receivedrby eachof the ramps 73 to form a tier'of containers having a predeterminedpattern. For this purpose, a control device (shown schematically in Fig.6) is provided, which includes four sensing arms 161a161d, inclusive,which willbe referred to as sensing arms S. There is one of said sensingarms S for each ramp 73 (Fig. 3). The sensing arms S, which are ofarcuate configuration, are pivotally supported at their upper ends bythe partitioning plates 75 through suitable means, such as pivot pins162, and are disposed in the; path of movement of the leading containersadvancing on the ramps 73 so as to be engaged thereby. The leadingcontainers'engage the convex portions of the sensing arms S. While thesensing arms S areshown in an ar-. rangernent wherein each isclose to anadjacent partition-f ing plate 75, itis to be understood that eachsensing arm could be mounted adjacent the associated transfer lever,

54 so as to be engaged by the containers closer to the; central leadingedges thereof. Disposed forwardly of eachsensing arm S is a stop screw163 (Figs. 3 and 5). that'is adjustably received by a fixed bracket 164.The brackets 164 are mounted on the partitioning plates 75. The stopscrews 163 are positioned so as to be engaged by the concave portions ofthe sensing arms S.

Containers, such as containers A in Fig. 5, are ad-. vanced in files onthe ramps 73 with adjacent containers in a file in abutting relation.The leading containers in the files ofcontainers engage the sensing armsS, causing 5. the sensing arms to be moved forwardly about their pivotaxes. When the sensing arms S engage the stop screws 163, apredetermined number of containers are in proper position on the ramps73 and are ready to be raised by the lifting levers 54. By setting thestop screws 163 to control the maximum forward movement of the sensingarms S, adjustments can be made to accommodate dilferent tier patternswhen containers of a different size are supplied for packing.

Carried by the lower surfaces of alternate angle bars 76 adjacent thesensing arms 161a161d, inclusive, are air valves Ulla-170d, respectively(Figs. 4 and 6), which will be referred to as air valves V. There is oneof said air valves V for each ramp 73. At the lower portion of eachsensing arm S is adjustably mounted, as by a setscrew 173, a valvecontrol bar 171 that is arranged to engage the lower end of a valve stem174 of the air valve associated therewith (Figs. 3 and to control theopening and closing of the valve. A leaf spring 172, which is mounted onthe bracket 164, is provided for each sensing arm S to urge itsassociated sensing arm in a rearward direction to cause the control bar171 to close the air valve V associated therewith. When a predeterminednumber of containers are properly positioned on the ramp 73 (Fig. 5),the sensing arm S associated with the ramp is moved forwardly intoengagement with the stop screw 163 associated therewith. As aconsequence, the contact bar 171 mounted on the engaged sensing arm Sdisengages the valve V associated therewith to permit the valve to open.

Containers, having a diameter different than the diameter of thecontainers shown in Fig. 5, may be handled in this machine. The spaceoccupied by a predetermined number of containers on the ramp will varyaccording to their diameter. However, in all instances it is desi ablethat the last container on the ramp be disposed with its trailing end atthe free end of the associated lifting finger 55 so that the next willbe out of the path of upward movement of the finger. Accordingly, thestop screw 163 and the contact bar 171 may be adjusted so that themovement of the sensing arm S is stopped at a predetermined position andso that, in all cases, the associated air valve will be released whenthe movement of the sensing arm is stopped.

Referring to Fig. 6, the air valves 170zz-170d, inclusive, are seriallyconnected in a pneumatic system which includes a conduit 180 connectingthe inlet of valve 170a with a suitable source of air under pressure,not shown. The outlet of valve 170s communicates with the inlet of valve1791') through a tube 181 and the outlet of valve 17Gb communicates withthe inlet of valve 170a through a tube 182. The outlet of valve 170a inturn is connected to the inlet of valve 170d through a conduit 183.Communicating with the outlet of valve 170d through a conduit 184 is asuitable air cylinder 185 having the piston rod thereof connected to oneend of a contact lever 186 (Figs. 4 and 6). The contact lever 186 ispivotally mounted intermediate its ends on the hereinbefore mentionedside wall 72 adjacent thereto by suitable means, such as a pivot pin187, and the other end of the contact lever 186 is arranged to controlthe actuation of an electrical switch, such as micro-switch 188, that iscarried by the wall 72 adjacent thereto in a position remote from theramps 73. When air under pressure is admitted to the cylinder 185through the valves 170a 170d, inclusive, the piston rod actuates thelever 186 to cause the switch 188 to close the contacts thereof and,when the piston rod of cylinder 185 is retracted, the lever 186 movesaway from the actuator of the switch 188 permitting the contacts of theswitch to open. It is to be observed, therefore, that if any one of theramps 73 is not properly filled with containers, the switch 188 willremain open. Thus, by providing a valve for each ramp and by connectingthe valves in series with an air cylinder, the electrical switch 188 isclosed only when all the 6 ramps 73 have thereon a predetermined numberof properly positioned containers and, hence, a tier of containershaving a predetermined pattern is properly positioned for lifting by thetransfer levers 54.

The energizing circuit for the clutch control solenoid 152 includes theelectrical switch 188 connected in series with the solenoid 152 (Fig.6). A manually operable switch 190 in the form of a pedal is connectedin series with the switch 188 and a suitable source of electrical power,not shown, is connected in series with the solenoid 152 and the switch190 over conductors 191 and 192. When the switch 188 isv closed by thepresence of a predetermined number of containers on the receiving ramps73 and an operator has closed the switch 190, the sole noid 152' isenergized to release the clutch 143 to rotate the transfer levers 54 andto actuate the loading shoes 114 and 115. Shunted across the switch 190is a switch 195 which is adapted to automatically prepare the energizingcircuit for the solenoid 152 for alternate transfer cycles. Theoperation of the switch 195 is controlled by a cam 196 that is mountedon the actuator shaft 136 for rotation therewith. When an actuating arm193 of the switch 195 engages the flat portion 194 of the cam 196, thecontacts of the shunt switch 195 are closed and, when the actuating arm193 engages the circular portion 197 of the cam 196, the contacts of theswitch 195 are opened.

In the operation of the case loading machine 20,'the' multi-fileconveyor '10 advances containers onto the container' receiving ramps 73while the transfer levers 54 are not in motion. When the ramp 73associated with the air valve 17% has a predetermined number ofcontainers thereon, the sensing arm 161a engages its associated stopscrew 163 and air under pressure flows through the valve 17% to theinlet of valve 17%. In a similar manner apredetermined number ofcontainers on the ramp 73 associated with the valve 17Gb causes thesensing arm 1615 to be-urged forward its maximum distance. As a consequence thereof, air flows through the valve 17% to the inlet of valve170a. A predetermined number of containers on the ramp associated withthe valve 170a results in. the opening of valve 170a in a mannerpreviously described with the result that air flows to the inlet ofvalve 17nd. When the valve 170.42 is opened in the manner abovedescribed air flows into the cylinder 185- causing the micro-switch 188to close. Whenever the case load ing machine is at rest, one set oftransfer fingers 55' of the lifting levers 54 is disposed intermediatethe angle bars 76 that form the ramps 73. The other two sets of transferlevers are displaced therefrom by 120. The actuator arms and 101 at thistime are in their ex treme rearward position with the loading shoes 114and 115 raised above the loading chute 38.

The operator closes the switch 190 momentarily which is effective toenergize the clutch release solenoid 152. This results in the clutch dog148 releasing the clutch 43, thus enabling the output end of the clutch143 to make one complete revolution. There'upon, the main drive shaft 44and the crank shaft 136 rotate in a clockwise direction as viewed inFig. 1. The transmission rate is so proportioned that for every completerevolution of the clutch 143, the crank shaft 136 makes one-half of arevolution and the shaft 44 makes one-third of a revolution. As thediscs 134 and 135, mounted on the shaft 136, rotate 180", the links 132and 133 push the actuator arms 109 and 101 from the extreme rearwardposition to the extreme forward position. As' the upper ends of theactuator arms 109 and 101 swing forwardly, the loading shoes 114 and 115are positioned into the loading chute 30 at the rearward portionthereof. Then, the plate 108 is moved forwardly causing the loadingshoes 114 and 115 to move forwardly so that the pusher faces 116 thereofwill move any containers on the case loading chute.30 forwardly.

While the crank shaft 136 rotates 180, the main operating shaft 44revolves causing the set of transfer V 7 leyers 54'stationed at the ramp73 with the fingers '55 thereof'horizontal to advance to the caseloading chute 30 with the fingerst'5 thereof projecting verticallybetween the floor bars 89 of the chute 30. In this manner, a tier ofcontainers having a predetermined pattern is transferred from the ramps73 to the loading chute 30.

.During the initial phase of the transfer movement above-described, theramps 73 do not have any containers thereon. Consequently, the leafsprings 172 urge the sensing arms S rearwardly with the result that thevalves V are once again closed. Therefore, the flow of air tothecylinder 185 is cut off and the micro-switch 188 is opened by theretraction of the cylinder piston. Thereupon, the clutch controlsolenoid 152 is deenergized and the clutch dog is urged by the spring154 into position to engage the shoulder of the clutch 143 when theclutch 143 rotates a complete revolution. At the completion of the firstrevolution of theclutch, the shaft 136 has been rotated 180 and theactuating arm 193 of the shunt switch is in engagement with the circularsurface 197 of the earn 196. Thus, the contacts of the shunt'switch 195are closed and. the clutch release When the sensing arms 16'1a-161d,inclusive, are

moved to their forwardmost positions, by the presence of a predeterminednumber of newly arrived containers, the V valves 170a-170d, inclusive,are opened and theswitch 188 is actuated to complete the operatingcircuit for the clutch control solenoid 152. At this time, the clutch143 initiates the second transfer cycle. During the second transfercycle, the transfer devices 54 advance 120? and chute so that, while thechute is charged with the proper.

number of container tiers, the loading shoes 114 and 115 are conditionedfor renewed operation.

' After the clutch 143 has performed its second revolution'and effectedthe above'operations, the cam 196 on the actuator shaft 136 has the fiatportion 194th ereof in engagement with the actuating arm 193 of theshunt switch 195. Therefore, to initiate the third transfer cycle, theoperator isrequired to actuate the pedal switch 190. Hence, the casingmachine is at a standstill with two tiers of containers in the loadingchute 30. The operator may now slip the open end of a'case or crate overthe conveying end of the loading chute 30 and depress the pedal switch"190 anew. of containers has advanced on the receiving ramps 73, thedepression of the pedal switch 190 initiates another two revolutioncycle of the clutch "143 during which the loading shoes are firstdropped behind the two tiers of containers in the loading chute and thenmove forward into the chute to push the tiers of containers into thecase and eject both the case and the containers onto a suitable conveyor(not shown), while the transfer levers 54 receive a third tier ofcontainers from the receiving ramps 73 onto loading chute 30 rearwardlyof the advancing loading shoes. As the clutch 143 performs a secondrevolution, the loading shoes rise again above the loading chute andreturn to their original position, while the transfer levers 54 deposita fourth tier of containers onto the loading chute. Whereupon, the caseloading machine 20 stops and the operator must again press the pedalswitch to eject the two container tiers from the load In case the propernumber 7 8 t ingchute and place two additional tiers onto the loadingchute.

ratus for sensing the completion of each tier of cans, makes it possibleto arrange all parts of the electrical system of the machine includingthe control switch 188 thereof, in locations'where their' operatingeificiency is not apt to be impaired by moisture dripping from the cansas they are assembled upon the ramp 73, or by foreign objects, dirt orthe like propelled along the supply conveyor by the cans approaching theramp 73. 'It is apparent, therefore, that the transfer mechanism controldevice of the present invention makes for more eflicient operation ofthe case loading machine 20 by eliminating a hazard that has causedfrequent interruption of operation of case loaders triggered by knowntypes of control devices. r

It will be understood. that modifications and variations of theembodiments of the invention disclosed herein may be resorted vtowithout departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of theappended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire toprotect by Letters Patent is:

l. A case loading machine comprising a plurality of ramps, each of saidramps being adapted to receive a file ofcontainers, a case loading chutespaced from said receiving ramps, a transfer mechanism arranged to beoperated for transferring containers from said ramps to said, caseloading chute, container sensing means for each of saidramps andarranged to be actuated by the leading container disposed on theassociated ramp when a predetermined number of containers are positionedon the ramp, a valve for each of said sensing means arranged to beopened in response to the actuation of its associated sensing means,conduit means connecting said valves in series for establishing a flowof air through said valves when all of said valves are'open, and powermeans operatively connected to said transfer mechanism and responsive tothe flow of air through said valves for operating said transfermechanism to transfer containers from said ramps to said loading chute.

2. A case loading machine comprising a plurality of ramps, each of saidramps being adapted to receive a file of containers, a case loadingchute spaced from said receiving ramps, a transfer mechanism arranged tobe operated for transferring containers from said ramps to said caseloading chute, a container sensing arm for each of said ramps andarranged to be actuated by the leading container disposed on'theassociated ramp when a predetermined number of containers are positionedon said ramp, a valve for each of said sensing arms arranged to beopened in response to the actuation of its associated sensing arm,conduit means connecting said valves in series for establishing a flowof air through said valves when all of said valves are open, a pneumaticcylinder arranged to beactuated in response to the flow of air throughsaid valves, and power means operatively connected to said transfermechanism an'd'responsive to the actuation of said cylinder foroperating said transfer mechanism to transfer containers from said rampsto said loading chute. f

3. A case loading machine comprising a plurality of ramps, each of saidramps being adapted to receive a file of containers advancing toward theforward end thereof, a case loading chute spaced from said receivingramps, a transfer mechanism arranged to be operated for transferringcontainers from said ramps to said case loading chute, a' containersensing arm for each of said ramps arm when a predetermined-numberofcontainers are received by its associated ramp, a valve associatedwith The use of pneumatic, rather than electrical, appaeach of saidsensing arms, valve actuator means carried by each of said sensing armsoperative when the associated sensing arm is moved forwardly to engageits associated stop member for opening the valve associated therewith,conduit means connecting said valves in series for establishing a flowof air through said valves when all of said valves are open, power meansresponsive to the fiow of air through said valves for operating saidtransfer mechanism to transfer containers from said ramps to saidloading chute, and biasing means connected to each of said sensing armsfor urging the sensing arm rearwardly for closing the associated valvewhen the containers are transferred from its associated ramp.

4. A case loading machine comprising means defining a containerreceiving station, a case loading chute spaced from said receivingstation, a transfer mechanism arranged to be actuated for transferringcontainers from said receiving station to said case loading chute,electrical means for actuating said transfer mechanism, a controlcircuit for energizing said electrical means and including a controlswitch mounted on the case loading machine in a location remote from thecontainer receiving station, a pneumatic sensing member mounted on thecase loading machine adjacent the receiving station in a positionwherein it is responsive to containers delivered to said receivingstation, and means defining a pneumatic circuit operably connecting thecontrol switch to said pneumatic sensing member for energizing saidelectrical means to actuate the transfer mechanism.

5. A case loading machine comprising a multi-lane container receivingstation, a case loading chute spaced from said receiving station, atransfer mechanism arranged to be actuated for transferring containersfrom said receiving station to said case loading chute, electrical meansfor actuating said transfer mechanism, a plurality of pneumatic sensingmembers mounted on the case loading machine adjacent the receivingstation in positions for each sensing member to be responsive to thedelivery of a predetermined number of containers to one of the lanes ofsaid receiving station, and means defining a pneumatic circuit seriallyconnecting all of said sensing members and said control switch forenergizing said electrical means to actuate said transfer mechanism whenall of the sensing members respond to the container delivery.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,599,220 Bergmann June 3, 1952 2,650,009 Kerr et a1. Aug. 25, 19532,741,357 Surico Apr. 10, 1956

